Expired Coupons {Send to Military!}

Did you know military families stationed overseas can use your expired coupons in their commissary’s (military grocery stores) for up to 6 months after their expiration date? YES they do! You see, unfortunately they don’t have access to a Sunday newspaper all nicely filled with coupons like we do.

So this is where you come in. Happymoneysaver readers can all come together and help help out the military while at the same time making use of our expired coupons.

I wanted to share with you that here in the Northwest many bloggers including myself are trying to come together to adopt a certain military base. We are adopting Camp Foster military base in Okinawa, Japan. That base is willing to receive, organize and distribute coupons to fellow Americans serving our country stationed in Japan. All you have to do is organize your expired or expiring manufacturer’s coupons according to the specifications outlined below and mail them off!

Here are the details –

Acceptable Coupons:
You can only send MANUFACTURER’S COUPONS, no store coupons. Printable coupons that say “manufacturer’s coupon” on them are acceptable. Clip all coupons. DO NOT send full sheets.

Sorting the Coupons:
The coupons that you are sending need to be separated into FOOD and NON-FOOD in plastic zipcloc style bags. Label them with a pen or marker as well.

Do not send any coupons over 30 days expired please. We want to make sure the shoppers have plenty of time to redeem the coupons and organizers aren’t spending time weeding out coupons that won’t work. It takes shipping time to get to them.

Place your coupons in an mailing envelope (for small batches) or a Priority Mail package (for larger batches). The flat rate boxes might be the most affordable way to send your package if you are sending a large quantity or teaming up with other couponers.

Fill out Customs Form 2976-A and attach it to the outside of the mailer (the USPS requires this form when sending a package directly to an overseas base). This form is available at your local post office or you can order between 10-50 forms for free here. The forms are mailed to your home in 7-10 days.

Here’s how to fill out the customs form:

• From: Your name
• To: Cara Kaiser
• Description: Manufacturer’s Coupons
• 2: Pkg
• 4: $0.00
• 5: Gift
• 9: $0.00
• 10: Return to Sender
• 13: Sign your name & date

Mail the package to:

Cara Kaiser
PSC 557 Box 164
FPO, AP 96379

This is such a great cause and you can make a difference in the lives of those that do so much for us!